Brussels, 14/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 14 October 2008, the European Commission cleared the planned acquisition of various OSI Group companies located in Europe, Brazil and Bermuda by Brazilian meat supplier Marfrig.
Marfrig is active in the supply of fresh and processed meat (beef and to a lesser extent chicken, pork and lamb) worldwide but only to a limited degree in Europe. Marfrig is planning to buy OSI Group companies active in the supply of fresh and processed poultry and other meat products in Europe and Brazil.
The Commission's examination showed that the proposed operation would not significantly affect competition due to limited market shares and/or very limited horizontal overlaps between the parties' activities in Europe. The potential vertical link between the parties' activities, arising from the fact that they supply both fresh and processed chicken, would not raise competition concerns either because the market shares are not high and the deal would not change the markets concerned to any great extent. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns. (O.L./trans.fl)